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groundrules) wrote2021-01-08 03:30 pm
groundrules) wrote2021-01-08 03:30 pm
Entry tags:
applications
Eastbound is primarily an invite-only game — each existing player can currently invite up to one person per month, or get in touch about further invites. Existing players can hold two characters in game. A third character can be applied, if players can prove they have met activity requirements for two consecutive months with their existing two characters and have stayed engaged with the game. If you don't have an invite, somehow stumbled upon this neck of the woods, and you’d like to stay, drop the mod journal a line — we'll try to figure it out.
As of Oct. 1, cast/game caps are off. Please note, as of Dec. 1, Eastbound only has 3-4 months of gameplay left.
WHAT CHARACTERS CAN BE APPLIED?
YES: canon and original characters, if they have a solid and consistent personality and background. Characters brought in after they've died are a-okay. For characters taken from a time point just as they're in the process of dying, please read below on meeting medical requirements.
NO (at this time): real people, original characters set in a canon environment, characters from canons or canon instalments that have been released for less than one month, characters with imported development from other games (CRAU), alternate universe, or gender-swapped versions of canon characters.
Children or characters with very specific medical/magical/environment needs: appable, but please make a note of how your character will ICly meet their requirements and stay alive. Likewise, if you are applying for a character taken just as they're dying, provide a suggestion for how they can be kept alive on arrival (this might be easier in some app cycles than others). You can bend the world a little to make miracles happen (ex: a substitute for the medication your character needs to survive can be found for a high price at certain apothecaries, etc.)
Characters that were dropped or swept by activity checks: yes, but they’ll come back without their previous memories, if they are applied in by a different player.
APPLICATIONS CLOSED
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Stephanivien de Haillenarte | Final Fantasy XIV
CONTACT:
HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE GAME?: TDM top-level here! also kiki is how I found y'all in the first place but I wouldn't count it as a formal referral.
CHARACTER: Stephanivien de Haillenarte
CANON: Final Fantasy XIV
CANON POINT: 6.2 (Technically, he hasn't really appeared actively in any quests past 6.0 but he's around and is somewhat appraised of current events in Garlemald, as the Manufactory engineers have been contributing to the rebuilding efforts)
BACKGROUND:
This will be a mix, as—unfortunately—his wiki page hasn't been updated for beans, and only contains a small amount of the Heavensward (3.0) Expansion information.
Stephanivien de Haillenarte is the oldest son of Count Baurendouin de Haillenarte, Lord of House Haillenarte, one of the Holy See of Ishgard's four High Houses. Ishgard is a strict theocracy at the time that Stephanivien is born and for the majority of his adult life, and the power that rests outside of the church lies squarely in the nobility, and especially among the four High Houses, who are the top nobility descended from four of the historical twelve knights of King Thordan I.
House Haillenarte of the four high houses is focused on the forging of armaments for the Ishgardian military and thus heads the Skysteel Manufactory, responsible for the creation of large war machina such as ballistas and cannons. Stephanivien developed an interest in the workings of the Manufactory as a young boy, and continued in his passion for engineering and machinistry into his adulthood, eschewing typical tradition of knightly service to instead work at the Manufactory, on the invention and development of new armaments, eventually becoming the de-facto head. Stephanivien's work, beyond the development and improvement of extant technologies, involved research and collaboration with Garlond Ironworks, seeking to further improve and develop magitek armaments, as well as the development of a new discipline of war, combining magitek and traditional aetherology to develop the "Machinists".
Since the Calamity 5 years pre-ARR, House Haillenarte has lost prominence among the four high houses due to the loss of two of their major outposts, Stone Vigil and Steel Vigil. One of Stpehanivien's younger brothers, Lord Commander Chlodebaimt, died during the sacking of the latter Vigil. Later, his youngest brother, Francel, was (falsely) accused of heresy (which is a huge deal for Ishgardians, essentially equating to being a traitor), but was later cleared of charges by the Warrior of Light, though the event has still further impacted House Haillenarte's standing.
The following incidents all occur within Stephanivien's young adulthood up until the end of A Realm Reborn, in roughly guestimated chronological order:
Once the Warrior of Light arrives in Ishgard and Heavensward (3.0) begins, we have the direct start of the MCH (Machinist) Questline, and a series of events which I have outlined below:
Stephanivien recruits the Warrior of Light—or "WoL"—(the player character) into the machinist's guild. As he is introducing WoL to the discipline, servant of House Haillenarte and Stephanivien's right-hand-woman Joye rushes in with news that the master of marksmanship Rostnsthal has resigned. Stephanivien, WoL and Joye track Rostnsthal down and convince to return to the Manufactory, and subsequently learn that he was paid a large sum to by an unscrupulous individual which led him to leave.
Stephanivien's father Count Baurendouin de Haillenarte comes by the Manufactory for a surprise inspection and demands that Stephanivien stop being a machinist and engineer, announces news of an upcoming Very Important Tourney, and demands that Stephanivien take up traditional knighthood. Stephanivien instead continues to develop new technology, including a flying auto-turret that can be powered by the aetherotransformer to be utilized by machinists in combat.
Stephanivien's father shows up at the Manufactory again, this time with the news that the great dragon Svara is en-route to Skyfire Locks (a Haillenarte redoubt) and that they are in dire need of reinforcements. Lord Haillenarte wants Stephanivien to show up as a knight, Stephanivien intends to bring his machinists to serve as the reinforcements and drive off the draconic attackers.
The battle at Skyfire Locks approaches, and Rostnsthal is thought missing, only to be found having intercepted someone creeping around the manufactory looking to start trouble. WoL and Rostnsthal frighten away several other suspicious individuals. Negative rumors begin to spread about Rostnsthal, which Stephanivien believes are being spread by some rival of the Manufactory. Rostnsthal admits that much of the rumors are true, and declines to join in the conflict, given the effect that his reputation might have on the manufactory, which was likely what the original mysterious patron who paid him likely wanted.
Stephanivien, WoL, and rest of the machinists (sans Rostnsthal) are able to mount a successful defense, and earn Count Baurendouin's grudging respect. At this point, a
n assholeknight from the rivaling house Dzemael named Tedalgrinche shows up tobe a classist prickcall the machinists useless, and essentially inciting Stephanivien to a challenge at the upcoming tourney, which Stephanivien accepts. Count Baurendouin despairs at House Haillenarte's potential performance, given his lack of trust in the machinists and the declining state of their House, which Stephanivien publicly refutes. Stephanivien's privately confides to WoL that the machinists aren't quite ready, and that more training will be necessary. He discusses strategy with WoL, as well as additional training to help prepare the machinists to give a good showing at the tourney. He also encourages Joye—who is expressing doubts of her participation—of her competency and how she is much needed.The day the tourney, several crates of firearms are discovered to have been deliberately smashed in sabotage. WoL and others chase down and scare away several other potential saboteurs, and report the findings to Stephanivien, only to be met with an explosion from outside the manufactory workshop. A full crate of the auto-turrets have been destroyed, and Joye despairs of having to forfeit House Haillenarte's place in the tourney. Stephanivien commits to repairing the damaged weaponry, and sends the rest of the machinist colleagues on ahead to give a strong show of confidence for the tourney, before privately admitting to WoL, Joye and one other machinist that they will need to compensate for the decrease in firepower from the other machinist's due to the compromised equipment. Even while acknowledging the worsening odds, Stephanivien remains confident in the machinists success.
Stephanivien has done all that he can to counterbalance the manufactory's misfortunes, and meets arranges to meet with WoL at the site of the tourney. He does an inspection of the arena and devises a strategy for the tourney. WoL, Stephanivien, and the machinists are successful in the tourney. Tedalgrinche seems mocking of their victory, but Count Baurendouin de Haillenarte's doubts have been fully put to rest, and he officially hands over full authority of the Skysteel Manufactory and workshop to Stephanivien.
This is not the last of Tedalgrinche, who proceeds to continue to try and harass and sabotage the Skysteel Manufactory and the machinists, orchestrating the following:
Tedalgrinche then challenges Stephanivien and the Manufactory to a trial by combat ultimatum to clear the false insurrection charges: slay the dragon voivre Veri Selen, or be judged guilty by the Holy See. Rostnsthal tries to turn himself in falsely as the one causing insurrection to have the charges be dismissed without the combat trial, but Stephanivien won't hear of Rostnsthal sacrificing himself on false charges. WoL, Stephanivien and the other machinists convince Rostnsthal to change course, and Stephanivien agrees to the combat trial.
On the day of the trial, Stephanivien arranges a feast to lift the spirits of the Manufactory, and then Stephanivien, WoL, and the machinists set out to the site of the trial, where they are met by Tedalgrinche and a priest of the Holy See who has been tasked with overseeing the trial. Veri Selen has been reported on its way with a large force of other dragon minions, and bait has been provided to lure Veri Selen to the trial location, while Tedalgrinche and the priest move to watch from a higher vantage point to witness the trial while remaining out of the battle.
In the course of the battle, and with the arrival of Veri Selen itself, the priest and Tedalgrinche knocked down from their vantage point, and Tedalgrinche disarmed. Stephanivien sends most of his machinists to defend Tedalgrinche and the priest. WoL, Stephanivien and all the rest of the machinists are able to successfully to defeat Veri Selen and his minions, and out of gratefulness of saving his life Tedalgrinche renounces the accusations against Stephanivien and the manufactory and offers a boon. Stephanivien then requests that Tedalgrinche swear an oath to stop opposing the machinists and interfering with the Manufactory. Tedalgrinche at last recognizes the value of the machinist force, and agrees to stop
being a dickinterfering, and instead will work alongside Stephanivien to integrate the machinists into Ishgard's military.Thus ends the Heavenward MCH quest line.
Stephanivien de Haillenarte | Final Fantasy XIV
After this point, we enter the Stormblood (4.0) Questline:
Due to the ongoing conflicts and the attempt to liberate Ala Mhigo (the major plot point of the Stormblood expansion) Stephanivien has found himself swamped in the manufactory with commissions for both armaments and machinists, having even had to relinquish Joye off to "some far-flung deployment", so he asks that the WoL step in to help fill a request made by Hilda Ware to train new members of the city watch led by Hilda Ware, who was instrumental in bringing an end to the Dragonsong war and the establishment of the new, more egalitarian, bicameral parliamentary system being implemented as Ishgard's new method of governance.
Stephanivien is buried under orders for the main Ala Mhigan conflict as well as other demands, but still manages to find time to assist WoL and Hilda as they are investigating a theft and upcoming big ceremony protection as a part of the city watch: first in trying to identify the origins of a bullet utilized in the heist, and secondly to inspect the stolen item (a sacred ceremonial sword) for tampering by the supposed "thieves", as suspicions develop that someone is trying to disrupt the ceremony. He discovers that the sword has been altered to include a small bomb that he invented for training exercises for the Temple Knights intended to be remotely detonated. He crafts a device to trace back the location of the paired detonator. Then, on the day of the ceremony, works with Hilda, WoL, et. al. to discover the culprits who are trying to discredit the new commoner-staffed city watch and ruin the ceremony. Stephanivien further aids WoL, Hilda, and the watch in capturing the mastermind behind the disruption, which does much to secure the authority and reputation of the new Ishgard watch.
Which ends the Stormblood Questline.
Throughout 5.0 (Shadowbringers) and subsequent 5.X patches, Stephanivien continues his work overseeing the manufactory. He arranges with WoL to discover a problem plaguing Joye and Hilda, and—upon discovering that it is a lack of inspiration in developing new machinist techniques, works with WoL to try and secretly assist by attempting to inspire Hilda and Joye with a demonstration of the new techniques WoL developed. Their plan works, though the "secretly" aspect less so, as they are discovered by Joye and Hilda, who thank them both for the assistance. After this point he has shifted almost entirely to focusing on operation of the manufactory and new technological developments, while Joye takes the reins in instructing new machinists and running the guild in that respect.
He also makes a brief appearance in the Ishgardian Restoration questline, a monumental effort that is spearheaded by his youngest brother Francel. Stephanivien, and their remaining siblings Aurvael and Laniaitte come to visit Francel in the Firmament to both congratulate and commend him on his excellent work, as well as to volunteer each of their individual aide to Francel's efforts. Stephanivien himself makes to shift spending his time specifically on the newly opened "Featherfall" branch of the Manufactory to encourage and entice prospective buyers to visit the newly developed and restored areas of Ishgard to bring in much-needed funds for the restoration.
In the advent of Endwalker (6.0), Stephanivien is a part of the Ilsabard contingent, some of those selected among the Eorzean city states to enter Garlemald to the far north and take down a 'group' known as the Telephoroi who are threatening the entire planet with destruction. In Garlemald, He works with other engineers from different city-states and the locals to re-engineer and design extremely fuel-efficient ceruleum heaters to be used by the Garlean refugee population suffering under the destruction of their capital city and a sharp demand for energy, especially as Garleans are incapable of using alternative magical means. The Skysteel Manufactory as well as many other of the Warrior of Light's allies also assisted in the acquisition of materials to prepare the Ragnarok for its deep space trek to the far edge of the universe. Throughout the remaining patches and the current period, Stephanivien has continued work on meeting the demands of the manufactory including contributions to the ongoing work in Garlemald.
ABILITIES | POWERS:
( For reference/personal edification: a video of most his martial/fighting abilities here, and a list of the relevant abilities—only those below level 80—here, mostly because walking around with a giant automated robot seems... excessive. I'll detail them in a more practical sense below under "Job Abilities" )
General Knowledge and Expertise
Stephanivien is first and foremost an engineer, and an extremely talented inventor. He has a good eye for potential, as well as the ability to scavenge other wreckage of machines and magitek for specific components to construct his new inventions, as well as the reverse-engineering and improvement of extant standard mechanical devices.
He is also well-studied in the field of aetherology, which is the study of the 'magical energy' known as aether inherently ambient in the world as well as stored within living beings, which has allowed him to develop a multitude of inventions based on utilizing of an individuals innate stores of aether. Foremost among these is the conversion of aether by aspecting it towards lightning to use functionally as electricity to power magitek as well as other technological abilities that augment firearms (and potentially summon ammunition from thin air) through the 'aetherotransformer'.
As the leader of the machinist guild, and inventor of the discipline, the man is also a solid crack shot.
Job Abilities
The Machinist Job that Stephanivien has developed results in a special augmentation of firearm related abilities, as well as the control of small automated robots. I've included a list of the more unique abilities (that aren't just... fire bullets in increasingly fancy ways) and their descriptions below:
It's worth noting that all of these are possible regardless of the type of firearm actually equipped.
PERSONALITY:
Stephanivien is, deeply, irrevocably kind. He believes firmly and steadfastly in the good of mankind, and is a strong advocate for development and change, constantly striving for the improvements of the future.
Stephanivien's whole motivation for the development of the Machinist war discipline is to grant the opportunity and ability for Ishgard's common man to be able to take up arms to protect their home, and grant them martial independence in a highly class-stratified nation who's entire focus is geared to a thousand-year active conflict that dominates all aspects of society. His opinions and actions towards the equal value of all people and the desire to elevate and enable the freedoms of his fellow Ishgardians—with his desire for the future encompassing a striving for social revolution as well as a technological one—has him considered quite radical by others, as well as occasionally naive, when he finds himself surprised that others do not value people as equally as he does. He is a man highly aware of the privilege granted to him by his societal position and committed to leveraging that privilege to elevate others so that equality may one day be achievable, while also remaining very conscious of the power that his position can inflict towards other people and works very hard not to pressure others against their wills. He does not hold grudges against those who have gone against him out of need or force from others who wield their power against him, even going so far as to offer a job and position to one of Tedalgrinche's lackeys who was strong-armed into participating in the hostage-holding of Joye's father, setting him up with the opportunity to become a machinist and a job in the manufactory to address his needs for employment. He is deeply invested in the progress and the successes of those he has reached out to, or assisted in some way, and completely lacks any sort of envy at the achievements of others, and is instead deeply excited and proud of their advancement, even beyond his own capabilities.
His kindness and belief that all are to be treated equally with dignity and respect has been shown to strongly shape those touched by him. Hilda Ware attributes Stephanivien's assistance with not only granting her "control over [her] fate", but also challenging her own biases. Another minor NPC speaks of how Stephanivien always "works to make the manufactory a place where commoners like me feel welcome." Rostnsthal contributes Stephanivien's granting him a job as an opportunity to learn from his many past mistakes. Stephanivien also works hard to encourage those who are not confident in themselves or feel undeserving of their responsibilities and the respect he gives them, like Joye. Even Tedalgrinche, who actively strove against Stephanivien and his works, as well as harming those that Stephanivien counts as dear to him, is changed by Stephanivien's decision to save and protect him. When Stephanivien merely asks Tedalgrinche's oath that he stop interfering in the opposition of his machinists and the operation of the manufactory as his requested 'boon', it deeply surprises Tedalgrinche, such to the extent that his dialogue is the following:
In multiple instances, through smaller changes such as gaining confidence to pursue one's desires and confidence in one's abilities to full heel-face turns, and the complete changing of one's opinions and stance, most every person that Stephanivien interacts with whose life he has reached out and touched in some way has resulted in that person's personal development for the better. Stephanivien is the kind of person who makes one a better person by just being around them, through his unstinting support and encouragement, and his personal humility towards the effects he has had on the people he has touched.
SAMPLE:
prose-style sample (cw for jury-rigged surgical debridement of a zombie(?) bite)
action bracket style tdm top-level with a couple threads going
Happy to provide an additional sample if needed!
INVENTORY:
NOTES:
*So, in FFXIV, it's not actually clear what the prospectometer is, other than the fact that it is a device that Stephanivien carries around with him and utilizes often, and that it somehow actually knows/can predict things, such as detecting "potential" in individuals he has never met before, locating the general direction missing persons, etc.
Basically, it's an item of unclear limitations but always correct predictive powers to give a Watsonian excuse for Doylist commands present in quest steps (e. g. Go to X Region to track down NPC Y). I am equally happy to have him operate without it, but since he refers to it regularly in conversation throughout his questlines as well as just generic NPC text I figured I would be better off including it than not. Possibly could be something that could be used (with permissions) to detect if a character has some special power about them?
Also, again, huge huge thank you for the extension
IF ACCEPTED, WOULD YOU WANT A PLOT-LIGHT OR PLOT-HEAVY CUSTOM INTRO?
Plot-heavy would be swell!
ACCEPTED
Thank you for your application!
ADMIN
NOTES
INTRO
As Stephanivien might overhear the chatter of some of the merchants in Mazyar’s employ, as he keeps watch at night or helps with the snail-caravan. They are bemoaning both their destination — the looming, condemned citadel of Alem — and the many recent changes in trading patterns across the realms. The Dawn’s Reach Trade Company is increasingly using its reach to seek out unusual artefacts for its elusive employers, muscling out smaller traders out of their search areas in the process. Frozen salt hub Sa-Hareth is now completely cut off, turned into the main fortress of the ever-growing empire of undead lord Anurr. And the mermaids that previously swarmed in every sea and some rivers have now all but mysteriously disappeared from their usual haunts.
Re: ACCEPTED
And I'll just have him arrive sans the prospectometer since it saves him the trouble of trying to constantly fix it, and in some ways is far funnier if he just bemoans the loss of it instead.
Re: ACCEPTED
Re: ACCEPTED
Stephanivien acquiring a small horde of contraptions that all look somewhat like the prospectometer (Which, tbh the player doesn't even know what it looks like, so I'm just imagining an increasingly ecclectic collection of items that no one else can see how they are related at all) but all do completely different and randomized functions.